So, we finally have an answer to the big question surrounding Jannik Sinner since August 2024: is he going to be suspended for that doping case? And the answer is yes. WADA has officially wrapped things up with a settlement that means Sinner will be off the court for three months, from February 9th to May 4th, 2025. That means he’s going to miss some important tournaments. But the big questions are: will he miss a Grand Slam, and what’s going to happen to his ranking? Let’s take a closer look.

WADA had initially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after an independent tribunal cleared Sinner of wrongdoing in August, despite two failed drug tests. The 23-year-old had tested positive for Clostebol, a prohibited substance. He claimed that it entered his system through his physiotherapist during a massage. The case was set to be heard by CAS in April, but both parties reached a settlement, resulting in Sinner sitting on the sidelines for three months.

The Italian tennis sensation recently dominated the Australian Open, crushing Alexander Zverev to claim his first Grand Slam title. During his suspension, the World No. 1 will be sidelined from major tournaments, including the Sunshine Double events in Indian Wells and Miami, as well as the Monte Carlo and Madrid Open. Sinner’s top ranking is safe for now. He will lose 1,600 ranking points—1,000 from his Miami Open title last year, 400 from his Monte Carlo semifinal run, and 200 from reaching the Madrid quarterfinals.

But with a 3,195-point lead over Alexander Zverev, the 23-year-old tennis player will retain the No. 1 spot. However, his competitors have a chance to close the gap.

Sinner’s points will drop from 11,830 to 9,730, opening the door for Carlos Alcaraz or Zverev to make a move. The World No.2 with only 900 points to defend, would need to earn around 2,500 points during this period to challenge the top spot. Alcaraz, on the other hand, must defend his 1,000 points from last year’s Indian Wells title. Realistically, to keep pace with Sinner, he’d need to not only win the title there again but also have deep runs in the other tournaments.

Fortunately for Sinner, the ban will expire three weeks before the French Open. He will be able to resume training on April 13 and return to competition at the Italian Open, allowing him crucial preparation time for Roland Garros, which begins on May 25. Therefore, he won’t miss a Grand Slam.

So, what does Jannik Sinner have to say about this decision?

Jannik Sinner opens up about his doping ban

In their official statement, WADA clarified, “Jannik Sinner did not intend to cheat, and that his exposure to clostebol did not provide any performance-enhancing benefit and took place without his knowledge as the result of negligence of members of his entourage.” However, they reinforced that “an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage’s negligence.”

Sinner accepted the ruling, acknowledging his role in the situation. “This case had been hanging over me for nearly a year, and the process still had a long time to run with a decision maybe only at the end of the year,” he said.

The Italian tennis player further stated, “I have always accepted that I am responsible for my team and realise Wada’s strict rules are an important protection for the sport I love. On that basis, I have accepted WADA’s offer to resolve these proceedings on the basis of a three-month sanction.”

This suspension may disrupt Sinner’s momentum, but it won’t derail his season entirely. He will have a chance to defend his top ranking and prove himself on the clay courts when he returns. But will his rivals take advantage of his absence?